Page 23 of Unexpected Sweetheart
I also sent an email to my father, informing him in writing that I’ve decided to forego my trust and position on the board in favor of staying on the ranch. I told him that he achieved his goal of teaching me the value of hard work, but that I’d fallen in love with this lifestyle and wanted to remain here indefinitely.
He hasn’t responded.
He also won’t take my calls.
I guess that shouldn’t disappoint me. He made it quite clear that if I didn’t take my position in the family by my twenty-first birthday, then I’d be on my own. So, I suppose that’s what’s happening. I can’t lie and pretend it doesn’t hurt though.
At the end of the day, I consider myself very lucky. Most people go through their lives searching for direction and never really feeling like they’ve found it. But me, I’ve found it right here. It’s in a small town called Sweetheart, Colorado, and is lying next to me on a blanket in the middle of an empty field, whispering sweet nothings as he worships my body.
It’s a beautiful life, a life I'm truly in love with.
I'm not too keen on the early mornings, though. But I do love taking care of the animals and stopping every so often to make crazy love on a blanket out in the open. When we’re the only humans for a mile or more in any direction, it’s freeing to let our need for each other take over whenever we desire—up against the side of a barn, underneath the shade of a tree, on the living room floor with the front door wide open because we didn’t make it to the bedroom. Our breaks have become plenty, and the work day is definitely longer. But can we really call it work when we’re having so much fun?
From the moment I met Ryan, I knew sex with him would be otherworldly—not that I have a lot to compare it with. Still, I don’t need a lot of experience to know that he’s everything I’ll ever want and need. He’s the reason I waited. And he’ll be my reason for the rest of my life. I know deep in my soul that he’s my one and only. I have zero want for anything more in life than what Ryan can give me. I want him. I want his babies. And I want this ranch. It’s the perfect trio.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Ryan,” I whisper, nuzzling against the warmth of his body. “I’m so in love with you.”
He lifts up slightly and brushes his fingers down the side of my face, his blue eyes soft and somehow, still hungry. “I love you too, baby.”
Leaning in, he kisses me one last time before he pulls back and helps me to a seated position.
“Back to work?” I say, pulling on my clothes and helping him roll up the blanket.
“The cows don’t feed themselves.” He flashes me a grin as we tuck our belongings into saddlebags. “And if we want to make it to that dance on time, we’ll need to stay on schedule for a change.”
My cheeks heat, my body coming alive again because Ireallyenjoy the activities that keep throwing our schedule off. “Not that I have anything to wear to that dance since you vetoed every dress I own.”
Hooking my foot into the stirrup, I heft myself onto Shadow’s back and kick my heels. He moves alongside Comet as Ryan slides onto the saddle, much more graceful than I. But in my defense, I’ve only gotten the hang of this riding thing in the last week.
“Those dresses are far too revealing. I won’t havemywoman giving any other man a peek of her wares.”
His explanation makes me giggle. I love how protective he is of me. “Most of the ‘men’ in attendance will be high school boys. Something tells me they don’t stand a chance.”
“Doesn’t mean they get to look at what’s mine,” he says, leading the way on Comet toward the pasture where we currently have all the cows and their calves grazing. Checking on the calves is my favorite part of the work schedule. Not only because they’re cute as heck, but because I get to visit with Junior who’s thriving ever since Ryan and I intervened in his birth. And since his birth was the catalyst to Ryan and me coming together, he’s a pretty special bull-in-the-making in my opinion.
“Looking can’t change a thing, Ry. I’m head over heels for a much more mature man—not that you act it half the time.”
He smirks. “That’s because when I’m with you, I feel like a hormonal teenager. I can barely control my erection.”
“I’ve noticed,” I say with a giggle. “That still doesn’t help me with the clothing situation.”
“Oh, I think we’ll find something for you to wear,” Ryan says, giving me a smile that has secret written all over it.
“What aren’t you telling me, Ryan Oakley?”
All I get is a smirk from over his shoulder before he yells, “Hah!” and gallops off ahead of me, which is totally unfair because I’m barely able to maintain a canter.
But I do love watching my cowboy as he rides away…
By the time we’re finished our work and showered off the day—as well as fitting in a little dalliance in the shower stall—it’s almost time to leave for the dance. I still have no idea what I’m going to wear, and figure I’ll just wear a cute sweater and my jeans so Mr. Eyes-off-my-girl doesn’t have a coronary.
Ever since that first night together, I’ve remained sleeping in Ryan’s room. But my clothes are still upstairs, mostly because Ryan’s cupboards weren’t built for the amount of luggage I diva’d into his house on that first day. So, wrapped in my towel, I make my way up the stairs and let out a gasp when I find a white box with a red ribbon sitting on my old bed.
“Ryan? What is this?” I call down the stairs.
“I don’t know. Maybe you should open it then come down here and show me.”
A huge grin spreads across my face as I bounce my way over to the gift. Ryan does a thousand wonderful things for me every day, but this is the first actual gift of our relationship. In my old life, I’d be filming this on Instagram to add to my story and brag. But in this new and wonderful life, this precious moment is for me and me only.I feel richer this way.
